Her five foot ten and size four body looked amazing in everything she put on. Her long, blonde, subtly highlighted hair lay in perfect curls along her shoulders, which complemented the soft grey shimmery short dress that hugged her body.

“Thanks, but the person who looks amazing and gorgeous is you. Tonight’s the night of the start of your new life. Aren’t you the least bit excited?” she asked in excitement as she took hold of my hands.

“Not really,” I said as I pulled a tube of lipstick from my purse.

“No!” Giana grabbed the lipstick from my hands. “You need red lips. Not this—” she turned the tube upside down. “Berry Around Town color. I have the perfect color.”

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. I looked at her and she bit down on her bottom lip.

“That would be Jared.”

“Who’s Jared and why is he here?”

I had a bad feeling about this.

“He’s a coworker of mine and he’s escorting us to the gala. He’s gay, so don’t worry about it. He’s my cover for Donovan tonight. Did I mention that he’s bringing his wife?”

My mouth dropped and I shook my head.

“Go let Jared in while I get your lipstick.” She flitted out of the room and I followed, walking to the door and answering it against my will.

“Hi. You must be Gabby.” He smiled.

“And you must be Jared. Come on in. G will be out in a minute.” I walked to the kitchen. He followed.

“It’s really good to finally meet you. Giana talks about you all the time.”

“Thanks. It’s good to meet you too. Please forgive me if I come off as bitch,” I sighed. “I don’t want to go to this thing and Giana is forcing me to.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t want to go either. I’m doing it for G and Donovan.”

“You know about the two of them?”

“Yeah.” He smirked. “I’m the only one at the firm who knows and they are the only ones who know I’m gay. Word around the firm is that G and I are seeing each other. It’s sort of a win-win for both of us. People think I’m straight and they don’t suspect her of dating a married man.”

“That’s nice of you. But I don’t agree with what she and Donovan are doing.”

“I don’t either.”

“You two need to shush,” Giana said as she strolled into the kitchen.

She handed me a tube of red lipstick and we took a cab to the gala.

Chapter 5